WILD BIRDS TRADED IN THE CENTRAL COASTAL PROVINCES, VIETNAM

Wild bird trade in Vietnam has been widespread. From July 2023 to April 2024, a total of 35 bird shops and markets were surveyed in 5 Central Coast provinces including Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh and Khanh Hoa. A total of 1,601 individuals belonging to 9 orders, 20 families and 53 species were recorded. Among the recorded species, 12 species are listed in the IUCN Red List (2024) and Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP of the Government of Viet Nam. The results showed that the bird trading in the Central Coast provinces includes 3 different types: fixed pet bird shops (25 shops, accounting for 71.42%), vendors (08 locations accounting for 22.86%) and two locations selling released birds (5.72%). The prices are variable for each different species group: the released bird group had the lowest fluctuation ranging from 7,000 to 15,000 VND per individuals, the songbirds had the largest fluctuation from 50,000 to 2,500,000 VND, and the group for food (mainly migratory waterfowls) ranges from 30,000 – 300,000 VND. It is necessary to propose and implement solutions to limit and end the wild bird trades in the region as well as in Vietnam.